A draft report into Wokingham Borough Council’s community safety service has revealed weaknesses in its reporting of racial incidents and domestic violence.

The briefing report from the Audit Commission – published before its full community safety inspection of the council began in May – shows some shortcomings as well as positive aspects in the service.

The document – e-mailed to The Wokingham Times – is based on initial evidence gathered before focus groups and interviews took place with inspectors from the Audit Commission.

Findings in the briefing, which may change when a full report is published in a few months, include domestic violence may not be reported properly and out of hours reporting and response is not in place.

It also states there is “weak reporting of racial incidents”.

In a council memo about the inspection, also e-mailed to The Wokingham Times last month, the council’s policy manager Mark Redfearn reveals hate crime has been acknowledged as a priority by the council and a new delivery group is working together on the issue.

The initial findings also highlight positive aspects of the community safety service, pointing out the Pubwatch scheme in Wokingham town centre, the work of community wardens and the new in-house Youth Offending Service.

It also champions the turnaround in Rainbow Park, Winnersh, which findings state has “gone from an area of undesirable social housing to one without voids and a waiting list”.

Work to tackle drug abuse, car crime in partnership with police, and good inter-agency working are also mentioned.